Comments on: Kettlebell Snatch: Master Explosive Power, Conditioning, and Full-Body Strength

By: Anthony Moulesong

Anthony Moulesong — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 23:33:39 +0000

The snatch is one of my favorite kettlebell exercises. I use it on my ‘off’ days for a light workout: 5 reps each hand at 24 kg on the minute for 14-20 minutes. It really does get the heart pumping after the first few minutes! What I really want to share is how I learned to do the snatch. When I first tried it, I used a 12 kg bell to learn the movement. I think that really helped me get all the little things down pat like pulling the bell in and punching my fist through the handle at the top without beating my forearm up. I didn’t have to worry about being able to swing the weight or keep a grip on it; I could just focus on snatching. I have really good form now and can snatch 28 kg at this point, but I owe it all to starting out light and spending a few weeks learning how to do it well before going heavier.

By: Greg Brookes

Greg Brookes — Tue, 07 May 2019 13:21:08 +0000

In reply to Jack. Hello Jack, how often you kettlebell snatch per week will really depend on your goals and what other types of training you are performing. You can try 3 times per week and adjust sets, reps and weights through the week. So mix a light, medium and heavy session.

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 07 May 2019 12:03:24 +0000

Hi Greg, I’ve been training with KB for about a year and have passed the HKC. My question is how often should one snatch during the week?
Once, twice, three times? I consider my self at the intermediate level of training. – Thanks!

By: Greg Brookes

Greg Brookes — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 08:47:40 +0000

In reply to BFKB. It's all about timing my friend...rather than letting the kettlebell flop over at the top be a little more proactive and punch your hand through. The larger handle shouldn't make a different to this part of the snatch although it will make it more unforgettable on your the arm. Take another look at the article above for more detailed help.

By: BFKB

BFKB — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 13:24:25 +0000

Hey Greg! I’m trying to master the snatch. How do I avoid having the bell flip over my hand at the top in an uncontrolled manner and, as a result, slamming into my forearm, putting excessive strain on my elbow? The type of kettlebell I’m using has a bigger handle than the one you’re using in the video and I wonder if this makes the move more difficult because there is a bigger fulcrum.

By: frederick monda

frederick monda — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 22:12:17 +0000

kettlebells rock

By: Jose

Jose — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 18:01:12 +0000

By: Marcelo Alves

Marcelo Alves — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 13:10:34 +0000

Excellent article!

In my opinion, kettlebell snatch is the Czar of kettlebell training! I love it!

By: Greg Brookes

Greg Brookes — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 12:10:07 +0000

In reply to Satya. Thanks for the feedback Satya, sounds like you are progressing nicely.

By: Satya

Satya — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 12:01:49 +0000

Snatch is a terrific exercise. I had rotator cuff disability. I started snatches with 15# after getting swings, cleans and presses down, working the exercises for about 3 months.

As simple a it seems, I found getting a few corrections essential to getting the arc close to my body, rather than following the swing arc.

I learned the change at chest hight following Steve Cotter’s detailed YouTube video. Moved from 15# at 10×10 on the minute, to 12kg within 6 months, a year later 16 kg, in another year 20kg. However I’m 65 and I’ve not gone past 3×10 over the past year do to feeling my cardio too stressed, I then drop to 16kg 10×4, then 12kg 10 x 4 all on the minute. I can handle Tabata with 12kg. After the first minute hr goes to 163 BPM and continues on for 30 seconds after completion. After another 2 minutes I’ve done round 2